Should Jerry Brown personally apologize for Meg Whitman 'whore' remark?

Jerry Brown himself has not made any formal public statements after The Times' Seema Mehta on Thursday revealed that someone in his campaign called Republican rival Meg Whitman a "whore" on an inadvertently recorded voice mail.

Now, Mehta is reporting that some Brown allies say the candidate for governor should make a public apology.

"It's inappropriate; it's just wrong," said Stephanie Schriock, the leader of EMILY'S List, a Democratic group dedicated to electing pro-choice women, on C-SPAN's "Newsmakers." Such words "just shouldn't be used anywhere by anyone, period. It is just not what our democracy is about. It's unfortunate to hear it in any place."

A Brown spokesman said the campaign did not plan to issue any other statement beyond its apology made Thursday.

What do you think? Should Brown address the issue himself? Share your views below.

Photo: Jerry Brown. Allen J. Shaben / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[georgia]

uh. NO.

The question is, . . .

Should Meg apologize to her illegal alien maid for telling her to "hushup", and basically lie about working for her? And should Meg then apologize to the American people for lying about the whole illegal alien fiasco?

[John]

There is no apology needed and in my opinion Jerry Brown should not apologize. The tape is not even clear whether the whore word was used and it doesn't even show that anybody in that room even spent a single second debating whether to call her a whore. We have been inundated with TV ads from Whitman for the past 6 months everyday calling him all kinds of nasty things. If this is how Whitman plans to run California then let everybody in California apologize to her for every bad word said in a private setting. Shame on Meg Whitman for carving special deals for a lobbying group even before becoming governor.

[Get Real and Current]

Meg Whitman's equating the use of the term 'whore' with an insult specific to women is another indicator that her mindset and ideas are leftovers from the
19th century or earlier, and her poor understanding of the English language or the kind of gender complexity of today's social realities in California.
Apparently, Meg identifies the term 'whore' to be an exclusively female reference -- whereas, even in 1998, 12 years ago, the nationally-circulated and
esteemed Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (a copy of which maybe she needs) clearly indicates that the term 'whore' is NOT gender-specific, and
refers more specifically to ethical character:

Definition of "Whore" from the 10th edition (1998) of the
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary:
1 : a woman who engages in sexual acts for money :
PROSTITUTE, also : a promiscuous or immoral woman.
2 : a male who engages in sexual acts for money.
3 : a venal or unscrupulous person.

[Bill]

Meg Whitman's camp says : " Such words "just shouldn't be used anywhere by anyone, period. It is just not what our democracy is about. "

Really, what happened to freedom of speech. Is Her Phoniness Queen Meg going to cut off everybody's tongue who uses that word?

Looking at the context in which it occurred there is no reason for Jerry Brown to apologize. Let Meg Whitman make public all the conversations that go on in her campaign office and let the voters decide how clean her staffs are. I am sure the Meg Whitman who physically shoved an employee at eBay and later settled it out of court has said even saltier things about others in her life.

[brian]

It is an inappropriate word to use. No one would want their child to use this word. Obviously, it was used in the heat of the battle, but Brown should have been more polished in the word choice. Brown should have corrected his staff. Now, Whitman is also not an angel with her dismissal of her housekeeper. Bottom line, we have an old guy, and "killer instinct" female running. So much for someone giving us a plan to create high paying jobs in CA and reducing the interest payments for the state. We are in big trouble.

[amy]

Yes! I think he should apologize! He is a role model and it’s wrong to call someone with whom he disagrees a “whore.” Whitman is an accomplished woman and an earnest candidate and she deserves more respect – all women do!

[Roberta]

The ONLY thing he should apologize for is talking before the phone was disconnected. He and his aides have an absolute right to say anything to each other.

[Jim]

Yes, and he should state the name of the staffer who did say it.

[Dave]

Jerry Brown For Governor ? I hope and pray someone brings up his and his Fathers history as Ca Governor .

They did not call him " Governor Moon Beam For Nothing. Granted the choices are the worst possible candidates running in Ca .

Same as the Presidential Elections . There must be some one out there that wants to hold office that has a brain . I am registered as a Independent Voter .

I was a Ross Perot Supporter even though He was boring and at most times long winded He did know what He was talking about .

One item will always stand out from that period of history . If N.A.F. T. A. passes you will here the sound of company's rushing out of the Country
which is true .

There has to be another Ross Perot out there and maybe just maybe people will stop drinking there Kool Aide long enough to listen and turn this entire Country around . Yes I am off Subject . I am sure the back rooms of each candidates is saying much worse words then WHORE .

Political Correctness must End. We need real candidates to run for office .

[Olden_Atwoody]

I don't think he should appologize. Instead, I think Whitman should broadcast that little tibit 24-7 over the air and radio waves.

[Gene Oko]

Jerry Brown owes Meg Whitman, all women and everyone else first an acknowledgement that he used the term whore in referring to Whitman as it souds like his voice when he said he was going to use the word.

Brown knows exactly who used the word whore. If he did not use the word he should fire the man who did and the one who said he was going to use the trerm.

Then,he needs to apoligize for it personally, not through a dry impersonal way as his campaign did.

[George Ng]

It is sad the Jerry Brown can be that low. To show how true it is for an old politician to call his competitor a whore.

He can not say he will not raise tax. He will push California to the cliff this time

[Fed Up]

All politicians are whores. Democrates whore themselves out to Unions, and Republicans to Big Business.

[Steve Rodriguez]

Yes!!!

[Bill P.]

No, Jerry Brown should not apologize for the remark. First, it was a private remark not intended for public communication. The publishing of the inadvertent unintentional recording, would under non-political situation be a breach of privacy. Second, the remark was not made by Jerry Brown. Why should he have to apologize for it? Third, the remark was made in angry response to the blatant political pandering and double-dealing done by Meg Whitman. That is something SHE should apologize for. The Brown campagn showed more character and integrity than Whitman by not selling out or lying for an endorsement - something Whitman appears all to ready to do. Forth, this issue is a feeble distractor at best. Name calling - public or private - is of little consequence in governing. What matters is the character and experience brought to the table. Clearly, here is where Brown has the upper hand.

[VG]

Brown issue a formal apology? But that would be the decent thing to do.
In any case, it's beyond that now. I think there are some sane liberal women who see what their party actually thinks of them. Hillary Clinton learnt it a long time ago.

[taxpayer]

I heard today that it was Jerry Brown's wife. If she talks like that I'm sure Jerry does also. I still haven't heard anything from N.O.W. or Gloria Allred over the use of that language. I guess they only get upset if it comes from a conservative. Police and Firemen are the only ones who deserve a pension if you ask me.

[StephenG]

1. This was a private remark in a private conversation.

2. In context--referencing the allegation that Whitman prostituted her stated principles to obtain the endorsement from the Los Angeles Police Protective League (the police union)--the remark would have been made in reference to a male opponant as well and was not sexist. (Note the remark was made by a woman.)

3. Unless we are prepared to impose a Pollyanna standard of vocabulary on all campaing staffers in their private moments, the whol flap is pure hypocrisy. And if you don't think that Whitman has privately said worse about Brown, you need a glass of milk and cookies.

4. The staffer was not saying that Whitman was of unchaste character or that she is literally a prostitute. Let's face it, if Meg Whitman had to make a living selling her body, she would starve to death.

5. The sting of the remark, while harshly stated, was true. And does anyone truly believe that after 28 consequetive years of not voting prior to her decision to run for Governor that Whitman spending $120 million of her own many to buy the office is anything except an exercise in vanity as opposed to a sincere dedication to public service?

Brown HAS adequately addressed the issue himself—it’s the kind of thing that gets said privately in a campaign.

It’s a good thing my Private remarks about Whitman have not been recorded and broadcast in the media. They are far less charitable to the Republican candidate for governor than this isolated private remark.

['Gloria]

No one should use the words that someone in Jerry Brown's presence said. He should immediately denounced the words that were said. Apparently, Mr. Brown is not a gentlemen and is not someone I think should represent what we want in politics. As Nancy Pelosi said...."It time to drain the swamps" of all corrupt and unable to represent their constituents. He ows Meg Whitman an apology.